LED simulated neon with structural reinforcement

Abstract

LED simulated neon with a reinforcing member is disclosed. The simulated neon has a flexible covering with a translucent upper portion and an opaque lower portion. At least the lower portion is filled with a transparent, flexible material. A channel is formed in the transparent, flexible material. Linear lighting is provided in the channel, along with a reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is shaped and oriented such that it can bend in the primary bending plane of the simulated neon but provides strain relief and at least partially restricts or interferes with bending in other planes. The reinforcing member may, for example, have a rectangular cross-section, wider than it is thick. It may be made of plastic or metal, and its thickness may vary depending on the material of which it is made.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A linear lighting device, comprising:
 a flexible covering having a translucent upper portion and an opaque lower portion; 
 a transparent filling disposed within the lower portion; 
 a channel within the transparent filling; 
 a strip of flexible linear lighting disposed within the channel, the strip of flexible linear lighting having at least one bending plane and at least one more rigid plane; 
 a resilient reinforcing member disposed within the channel and extending in parallel with the strip of flexible linear lighting, the reinforcing member being constructed and arranged to bend in the at least one bending plane and to restrict bending in the at least one more rigid plane, and having a rectangular cross-section, wider than it is thick; and 
 a transparent stripe in a side of bottom face of the opaque lower portion of the covering, the strip of flexible linear lighting arranged in the channel so that an underside of the strip of flexible linear lighting is visible through the transparent stripe; 
 wherein the reinforcing member is transparent and is positioned in the channel between the underside of the strip of flexible linear lighting and the transparent stripe. 
 
     
     
       2. The linear lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the strip of flexible linear lighting is arranged within the channel such that the at least one bending plane is perpendicular to a line normal to top and bottom surfaces of the linear lighting. 
     
     
       3. The linear lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the strip of flexible linear lighting is arranged within the channel such that the at least one bending plane is aligned with a line normal to top and bottom surfaces of the linear lighting and bisects the linear lighting longitudinally. 
     
     
       4. The linear lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is at least as wide as the linear lighting. 
     
     
       5. The linear lighting device of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing member is wider than the linear lighting. 
     
     
       6. The linear lighting device of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing member is plastic. 
     
     
       7. The linear lighting device of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcing member is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
       8. The linear lighting device of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforcing member has a thickness of at least 0.25 mm. 
     
     
       9. The linear lighting device of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing member is metal. 
     
     
       10. The linear lighting device of  claim 9 , wherein the metal is steel or copper.